King Blues – Under the Fog
Not strictly album of this month, having been originally released last year. But as it’s just been re-issued and I’ve only just stumbled across
it – it counts!
There some great catchy but political protest songs on the album, mixing punk, reggae and ska in a style very much reminiscent of The Ruts or Manu Chao. The intro and lead track “Blood on my hands” mixes radio reports from the lead-up to the Iraq war with heavy beats and jittery guitars to set the tone for the whole album. It is possibly a bit retro in places with the punky doo wap of “If I had a coin” or the dub laden “Come Fi Di Youth”, but you do get an album full of varying styles.
Favourite tracks are “We ain’t never done” with a great rhythm and folksy guitar (my 9 year old son loves singing along to the chorus) – which reminds me of another old hero Mr Joseph Strummer, and “Mr Music Man” – a happy, skanking tune which would sound great whilst chilling in the sun at a festival or a BBQ.
Definitely worth a listen.